After a memorable Stanley Cup championship run thousands of miles away in Canada, walking into Amalie Arena for the start of the 2021 season elicited feelings of euphoria, disbelief, and familiarity. A lot has happened since the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars for the 2020 Stanley Cup back in September. The NHL draft, free agency, waiver moves, signings, and uncertainty if hockey would even return for 2021.
That only covers what happened within the NHL scope of reality, the real world had far more dramatic occurrences.
Yet, here we are, on opening night ready to watch the reigning Stanley Cup champion Lightning begin their title defense.